Checkpoint for Friday 9 December 2011

6:54 PM.The Project Manager of an award winning health initiative in Hawke's Bay, says there's been an unexpected benefit for many Maori families in the Hastings suburb of Flaxmere; The Meatworkers' Union… Read more Audio

6:36 PM.Just under 74-percent of enrolled voters actually cast a ballot - making the turnout at this years election the lowest in New Zealand since the 19th Century. Audio

6:32 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:20 PM.Consumer confidence has eased for the fourth month in a row, indicating an end-of-year spending splurge isn't on the cards. Audio

6:16 PM.One of the protestors fighting to stay in Auckland's Aotea Square waved a banner in court today only to be told off by the Judge for trying to use the hearing to express political views. Audio

6:08 PM.An influential member of the Anglican Church is questioning whether the Bishop of Christchurch should continue in her job. Audio

5:56 PM.Two Australian doctors are advocating that Nuns be offered the pill for health reasons as it would cut their risk of getting cancer. Audio

5:51 PM.After 16 years of debate the Department of Conservation has granted permission, subject to public submissions, for a multi-million dollar monorail, which will more than halve the travel time between… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.The largest South Island iwi says it's likely to be three to four years before it will be able to move back to its headquarters in central Christchurch; The Meatworkers' Union hopes new talks will… Read more Audio

5:42 PM.The lawyer for a man accused of hitting his girlfriend in the face with a hammer and beating her while she was pregnant, says his client is not like a character from Once Were Warriors. Audio

5:40 PM.The Marlborough Wine Festival is heading for a showdown with the district council and police over the use of wine glasses made of glass at its annual event. Audio

5:35 PM.At a closed door meeting today Canterbury's district health board chose the company that will carry out it's community medical tests. Audio

5:32 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:26 PM.A New Zealander who's studying at Virginia Tech university says students are trying to get back to normal after a gunman opened fire at the campus today. Audio

5:24 PM.News from the business sector including a market report Audio

5:15 PM.In less than 24 hours, several Labour Party MPs will find out if they're in or out of parliament when the final election count is released. Audio

5:13 PM.Tonight more than 300 workers at the port of Auckland will go on strike after attempts at mediation failed late this afternoon. Audio

5:07 PM.Under intense cross examination today Pike River Mine's safety manager has defended his work record and refused to blame anyone for the disaster which killed 29 miners. Audio

5:00 PM.Tense cross examination at Pike River Royal Commission; Second port strike to go ahead after mediation ends; MPs to find out if they're in or out of Parliament tomorrow; NZer at Virginia Tech speaks… Read more Audio